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Kōbe Breakwater Two Lighthouse

Oc Red 8s🇯🇵Kobe, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Kōbe Breakwater Two Lighthouse

This red, cylindrical concrete tower stands 19 meters tall at the southwestern edge of Osashi Island. Built in the 1930s, it marks the older, western entrance to Kōbe harbor. The lighthouse's focal plane is 18 meters above sea level, and it emits an occulting red light every 8 seconds. Its location at the end of a breakwater pier provides a geographic range of 12.7 nautical miles. The site is open to the public, though the tower itself is not accessible.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is essential for guiding maritime traffic through the older, western entrance of Kōbe harbor, a critical gateway for commercial and passenger vessels.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Oc Red 8s
Flash Type
Occulting
Light Color
Red
Interval
8s
Raw Code
Oc R 8s
Focal Height
18m
Geographic Range
12.7NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1930

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
19m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
red
Material
concrete

Structure: round concrete tower with lantern and gallery

Location

City
Kobe
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Hyogo Prefecture
Sea Region
Kōbe harbor, marking the older entrance on the west side of Osashi island, at the end of a breakwater pier at the southwestern corner of Osashi island.
Latitude
34.6563°
Longitude
135.2043°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Rokko Island(0.7 km)
Admiralty No.
M5862
NGA No.
7456
ARLHS No.
JPN-1506
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Kōbe Breakwater Two Lighthouse at night?+
Kōbe Breakwater Two displays the characteristic Oc Red 8s. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Kōbe Breakwater Two Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Kōbe Breakwater Two Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Kobe at 2.5 NM to the NW. Other ports served include Amagasaki (9.2 NM ENE), Nishinomiya (9.2 NM ENE), Iwaya (10 NM WSW), Akashi (10.7 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Kōbe Breakwater Two Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Kōbe Breakwater Two Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
What shipping routes pass near Kōbe Breakwater Two Lighthouse?+
Kōbe Breakwater Two Lighthouse is located within the Japan / Korea shipping lane — a busy shipping corridor linking the major ports of Japan and South Korea. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Kōbe Breakwater Two Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Kōbe Breakwater Two Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.